Module 4 Guide

Communication Sample: ____________________________________________________________

1) Construction Task (optional)
Items Needed: Block puzzle and printed design - Requesting
Instructions: Place materials on the desk. Place the design and a few blocks, “Show me how you’d put - Eye contact
these blocks together to look like this picture. Let me know if you need more blocks” and gesture to blocks out of - Gestures
reach. Turn away. If no request, look deliberately at child for 3 seconds, then say “How are you doing?” (pause) - Vocalization
“Do you need more blocks?”
Notes: After the task is complete, put the container on the table, say “Time to clean up” and see if the child helps.
Observations:

Eye Contact

Gesture

Requesting

2) Telling a Story from a Book - Follow &

Items Needed: Either of two picture story books. comment on story
Instructions: “Have a look at this book. It tells a story in pictures. See, its starts out with...(describe - Affect & Social
first picture). Can you tell me the story as we go along? You go first and I’ll take a turn.” Prompt as necessary relationships
to continue the story and turn the page. After the child has told some of the story, switch and complete the story.
Notes: Give NO MORE THAN TWO Specific prompts to start the story.
Observations:

3) Description of a Picture (optional) - Spontaneous

Items Needed: American montage scene & resort scene. Language
Instructions: (1) “Let’s look at this picture now. Can you tell me about it? What is happening in the - Communicative
picture?” Show interest, but do not provide more info about picture after comments. Encourage relation to own Behaviors
experiences. - Interests
Notes: The focus is on language at any level, not just abstract. If minimal or no response, model one complex
observation. If no response, ask specific questions.
Observations:

4) Conversation & Reporting

- Less structured
Items Needed: None
conversation
Instructions: Provide sufficient leads, guides and prompts on a topic, but not of specific interest to the
- Back & Forth
participant.
- Initiate new topic
Notes: Avoid stereotyped or question & answer. Provide information about self to allow follow-up. Pause to
- Gaze & expression
see if continued.
Observations:

Followed Lead

Asked ?

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5) Current Work or School (optional)
Instructions: Ask the following questions:
Work: Are you employed? What kind of job is it? How did you find it? Have you had other jobs before?

If not: What do you do during the day? Did you have a job before? Why did you leave your old job? Was is planned?

Are you happy where you are or would you like to move onto something else eventually? What would it be? What will
you need to do in order to find this type of job?

School: Are you in school? Where? What courses are you taking? What year are you in? How is it going?

Unemployed/Not in school: How far did you get in school? How did it go? What do you plan to do next? What kind of
training do you need to do that?

6) Social Difficulties and Annoyance - Responsibility for actions

Instructions: Ask the following questions: - Social insight
Have you ever had problems getting along with people at school (or work)? - Appropriateness & implications

Are there things that other people do that irritate or annoy you? What are they?

Were you ever teased or bullied? Why, do you think?

What about things that you do that annoy others?

Did you ever try to change these things? Did you ever do anything so that others wouldn’t tease you? Did it work?

7) Emotions - Description of own emotions

Instructions: Ask the following questions: - Identify concept of emtions
Notes: Two emotions must be fully discussed. - Social relationships
Happy: What do you like doing that makes you feel happy and cheerful? What kinds
of things make you feel this way? How do you feel when you’re happy? Can you describe it?

Fear: What about things you’re afraid of? What makes you feel frightened or anxious? How does it feel?

Anger: What about feeling angry? What kinds of things make you feel that way? How do you feel “inside” when
you’re angry?

Sad: Most people have times when they feel sad. What kinds of things make you feel that way? How do you feel when
you’re sad? What is it like when you’re sad? Can you describe that?

8) Loneliness
Instructions: Ask the following questions: - Insight into social situation &
Do you ever feel lonely? reaction to it

Do you think other people in your circumstances ever feel lonely?

Are there things that you do to help yourself feel better?

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9) Demonstration Task
Items Needed: Hand towel and soap
- Gesture w/language
Instructions: “Now I want you to play a pretend game with me” and set up play scene with appropriate
- Miming pretend
gestures. “Now I want you to teach me how you brush your teeth. Can you show me and tell me? Start
objects
right at the beginning. You’ve come into the bathroom. What do you do now?”
- Report familiar event
If gesture only: “That’s good. Now, TELL me and show me again right from the beginning – from when
you first came into the bathroom. Its OK to talk as well as show me.”
If no response: The scene may be described once more if needed. If still not understood, demonstrate ANOTHER event before re-setting
the scene.
Second Trial: Set pretend soap, wash cloth, face towel and sink. If no response, use real towel and soap.

Instructions: Demo & Inst.:

Observations:

Gestures

Language

10) Cartoons (optional) - Narrate a story

Items Needed: Series A & B cartoons - Enacts gestures
Instructions: The pariticipant is told that they will now be shown a story in cartoons and will be asked - Integrates gaze
to retell it w/o looking at the pictures. Give a general overview of the pictures and allow the participant to look with language
through the pictures. Clarify the story only if needed. Ask the participant to stand and retell the story. - Affect & Social
Notes: Place the participant away from anything they may lean on. Ask to retell to parent if present. relationships
Observations:

Gestures

Language

11) Break
Items Needed: Shape puzzle, drawing paper, 8 markers, pin art, spin pen, small radio, - Break from questions
newspaper & magazine, material from “Make-Believe” Play - Observe unstructured
Instructions: When appropriate, “Let’s take a break!” Indicate that you need to take notes during the behaviors
break. If no interest is shown, demonstrate a few objects. If still no interest, offer a snack or other - Response to withdrawal –
solitary activity. Move chair back and “take notes” for at least 2 minutes. If the participant interacts, any interaction
respond positively but briefly. - Method of occupation
After a few seconds, engage eye contact and smile encouragingly.”I’ll be just a few more minutes”.
Then, “May I join you before we get back to work?” Allow the participant to take the lead.
Notes: If snack is offered, set two plates, but do not take food unless offered.
Observations:

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12) Daily Living (optional) - Current responsibilites
Items Needed: None. - Future plans
Instructions: Ask the following questions:
Money: What about money? Do you take care of your own money? Where does it come from? Who pays your bills?
Have you ever saved your money to buy something or do something special? What was it?

Residential Arrangements: Where are you living now?

With parents: Have you ever lived away from your parents?
What would be different about living on your own? Would you like it better? What would be difficult?

On own: How did you find the place where you live now? Can you tell me a little about it?

Leisure Activities: What do you like to do in your spare time at home? What about going out?

13) Friends and Marriage

Items Needed: None. - Insight into current and future
Instructions: Ask the following questions: relationships
Notes: The focus is not on whether the participant has friends, but whether or not they understand
the concept.
Do you have some friends? Can you tell me about them? (names, ages)

What do you like doing together? How did you get to know them? How often do you see them?

What does being a friend mean to you? What is different about a friend than someone whom you just work with or go
to school with?

Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend? (name, age) When did you see them last? What are they like? What do you like
to do together? How do you know they are your boyfriend/girlfriend?

Do you ever think about getting married when you’re older?

Why, do you think, do some people get married when they grow up?

What would be nice about it? What might be difficult about being married?

14) Plans and Hopes - Goals

Items Needed: None. - Positive end to interview
Instructions: Ask the following questions:
Do you have plans or dreams for the future of things that you would like to do, or have, or see happen to you? Tell me
about them.

15) Creating a Story - Creativity

Items Needed: 6 items with a definite purpose, 6 items with no clear purpose
Instructions: “Now you and I are going to make up stories using some of these objects.” Chose five items
and create a simple, imaginative story. Remove the used item and allow the participant to take their turn.
Notes: Do not be too long or complex. Use different materials.
Observations:

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